The Rhode Island Department of Health on Tuesday recommended closing swimming areas at two Middletown beaches due to elevated bacteria levels that pose health risks to swimmers. Third Beach and Peabody’s Beach were added to the state’s beach closure list after water samples showed bacteria counts exceeding safe swimming standards, according to a RIDOH press […]
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Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island economy ‘on a recession precipice’
Rhode Island’s economy is teetering on a recession, according to the latest economic overview by University of Rhode Island economist Leonard Lardaro. Lardaro has published his monthly Current Conditions Index for years. The report usually lags by a couple of months. The latest tracks the state’s economy through June of this year, and each month […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Audrain Newport Concours unveils Jay Leno, Ford CEO for seminars
Television personality Jay Leno and Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley will headline the 2025 Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week Speaker Series, organizers announced Tuesday. The seminars will run Oct. 3-4 at the historic Casino Theater on the International Tennis Hall of Fame grounds, featuring automotive industry leaders and celebrities discussing car culture and […]
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Newport superintendent to address community questions in monthly live forum
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain will sit down with What’sUpNewp tomorrow afternoon for her regular monthly conversation with the community, offering parents, students, and residents a direct line to district leadership just one week before the new school year begins. The live virtual discussion, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 1:30 p.m., provides a platform […]
Posted inCity & Government
Police agencies launch Labor Day weekend DUI crackdown in Newport County
Police officers and state troopers from five law enforcement agencies will conduct a high-visibility DUI enforcement campaign across Newport County during the Labor Day weekend, officials announced. The joint operation, running from Friday, Aug. 29, through Monday, Sept. 1, will involve officers from Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport and Jamestown police departments, along with Rhode Island State […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island prosecutor put on unpaid leave after warning ‘You’re gonna regret this’ during arrest
By LEAH WILLINGHAM and KIMBERLEE KRUESI Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island state prosecutor was put on unpaid leave for six months after she was captured on police body camera footage warning one of the officers who were arresting her on a trespassing charge that he was “gonna regret it.” Special Assistant Attorney General […]
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Notes: Historic Jamestown regatta returns for 98th year this weekend
Good morning, Newport! 👋 Today is Tuesday, Aug. 26, the 238th day of 2025. There are 127 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know Nearly a century after its inaugural race, one of Narragansett Bay’s most storied sailing competitions will take center stage this Labor Day weekend as Conanicut Yacht Club hosts […]
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What’s Up this week in Newport County: Aug. 25 – Sept. 1
Newport County is closing out August with a robust slate of entertainment and community activities, offering something for every interest as the summer season draws to a close. The week’s events span from outdoor concerts and farmers markets to specialized tours and recreational activities across multiple municipalities. Music enthusiasts will find particularly strong offerings, with […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Democrats ask Trump to resume a major offshore wind project near Rhode Island
NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) — A nearly complete wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island and Connecticut faces an uncertain future after the Trump administration abruptly halted construction, and the states’ Democratic governors, lawmakers and union workers called Monday for the president to reverse course. The administration said last week that the federal government […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport rally planned to oppose Trump wind project halt
Climate Action Rhode Island will host a rally Tuesday evening at Queen Anne Square to oppose President Donald Trump’s order halting construction on the Revolution Wind offshore project. The 5:30 p.m. protest will feature remarks from Rhode Island elected officials and community leaders about the nearly complete wind farm, which is more than 80% finished […]
Posted inCity & Government
How gas prices have changed in Rhode Island in the last week
Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Rhode Island. Gas prices are as of August 25. Rhode Island by the numbers- Gas current price: $3.04- Week change: +$0.01 (+0.2%)- Year change: -$0.25 (-7.7%)- Historical expensive gas price: $5.02 (6/13/22) – Diesel current price: $3.82- Week change: +$0.01 (+0.2%)- Year change: -$0.16 (-4.1%)- Historical expensive diesel […]
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Notes: Rhode Island officials to hold press conference opposing Trump wind project halt
Good morning, Newport! 👋 Today is Monday, Aug. 25, the 237th day of 2025. There are 128 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Saturday criticized President Donald Trump’s order to halt construction on the Revolution Wind offshore project, which is […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
King Park Beach, Fort Adams Beach reopen after brief bacteria closure
The Rhode Island Department of Health announced Sunday that King Park Beach and Fort Adams Beach in Newport have reopened for swimming after bacteria levels returned to safe standards. Both beaches were closed to swimming on Thursday, Aug. 22, due to elevated bacteria counts that exceeded state safety thresholds. The closures lasted two days before […]
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Great white sharks are going north. Here’s what the numbers say
SCARBOROUGH, Maine (AP) — New data shows that great white sharks are spending more time in the chilly waters off New England and Canada’s Atlantic coast. That means boaters, beachgoers and fishermen who spend time in the northern waters are learning to live with the predators made famous by the movie “Jaws” 50 years ago. Sightings of the sharks […]
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Great white sharks head north, following seals and alarming beachgoers
SCARBOROUGH, Maine (AP) — Rick Clough spent some four decades fishing for lobsters and sea urchins off the Maine coast before spotting one of the ocean’s most recognized predators — a great white shark. The approximately 8-foot (2.4-meter) shark, seen off the beach town of Scarborough in July, surprised Clough, but didn’t make him fear the […]
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Morning Notes: Community investment fund brings final tour stop to Middletown
Good morning, Newport! 👋 Today is Sunday, Aug. 24, the 236th day of 2025. There are 129 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know Rhode Island’s first community investment fund will conclude its summer coffee shop tour Wednesday at Custom House Coffee in Middletown, bringing its community outreach effort to Aquidneck Island […]
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2025 Tennis Hall of Fame Induction: Maria Sharapova and Bryan Brothers talked about the sacrifices made for their careers
The International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) will be inducting three legends in the sport on Saturday, August 23, with Maria Sharapova and doubles icons Bob and Mike Bryan being celebrated for their legacy in the sport of tennis. All three achieved the career Grand Slam, winning all four majors. Sharapova was the 10th women’s […]
Posted inCity & Government
Trump halts work on New England offshore wind project that’s nearly complete
By ISABELLA O’MALLEY Associated Press The Trump administration halted construction on a nearly complete offshore wind project near Rhode Island as the White House continues to attack the battered U.S. offshore wind industry that scientists say is crucial to the urgent fight against climate change. Danish wind farm developer Orsted says the Revolution Wind project […]
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Highest-rated wineries in Rhode Island by visitors
Napa Valley isn’t the only travel destination in the United States for a good glass of wine. While California’s wine country is known for being a top winery destination (and also home to the award-winning bottle of Chardonnay that won top honors at the Judgment of Paris competition in 1976), wine connoisseurs no longer have […]
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Newport community group draws record crowd to discuss local issues
More than 45 Newport residents ranging in age from their mid-teens to mid-90s gathered Monday for a community conversation event to discuss pressing local issues. The World Café discussion, co-hosted by RENEWport and Emmanuel Church, drew the largest crowd yet since the series began in April. Expert facilitator Gene Thompson-Grove guided participants through discussions on […]
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Morning Notes: Naval Station Newport to host Navy 250 concert and fireworks today
Good morning, Newport! 👋 Today is Saturday, Aug. 23, the 235th day of 2025. There are 130 days left in the year. 🚨 You need to know Naval Station Newport will present a special Salute to Navy 250 concert and fireworks display this evening, featuring multiple bands and food trucks in celebration of the Navy’s […]
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On This Day In Newport History: August 23, 2000 – Newport’s Richard Hatch Wins Survivor
Survivor: Borneo, the first season of CBS’s Survivor, hosted its finale on August 23, 2000. After 39 days of competition, Richard Hatch, a corporate trainer from Newport, was named the Sole Survivor and became Survivor‘s first millionaire. Nielsen reported that 125 million people watched at least some part of the finale. The show was filmed from […]
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Bello allows 3 hits in 7 innings as Red Sox beat Yankees 1-0 to clinch season series
By LARRY FLEISHER Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Brayan Bello pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 1-0 victory over the New York Yankees on Friday night that clinched the season series between the longtime rivals. Boston moved a half-game ahead of the Yankees for the first American […]
Posted inCity & Government
New Rogers High School celebrates grand opening with ribbon-cutting ceremony
NEWPORT, R.I. — Under perfect August skies, Newport celebrated a milestone decades in the making as community leaders, students and residents gathered Friday morning to officially open the new Rogers High School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and Rep. Gabe Amo joined Newport Mayor Charles Holder, School Committee members and City Council […]
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Newport International Boat Show announces full slate of activities
The Newport International Boat Show will feature expanded activities and educational programs when it returns to downtown Newport for its 54th year Sept. 11-14. The show, presented by BankNewport, will span 17 acres at the Newport Yachting Center Marina and showcase 350 new sailboats and powerboats, including some making their U.S. debuts. This year’s event […]